Singer Dame Vera Lynn, the Forces' Sweetheart, dies aged 103

British singer, Dame Vera Lynn has died at the age of 103.



The singer was popularly known as the Forces' Sweetheart because her songs helped raise morale in World War Two.



The singer's family confirmed she died on Thursday morning, June 18, surrounded by her close relatives.



"The family are deeply saddened to announce the passing of one of Britain's best-loved entertainers at the age of 103," a statement said.



Her family said information on a memorial will be announced at a later date.



Dame Vera was best known for performing for the troops during World War Two in countries including India and Burma.



Mourning her, TV host Piers Morgan wrote: "Oh no.... what terribly sad news. Dame Vera Lynn has died, aged 103. A magnificent woman who rallied our country when we most needed it. The Forces sweetheart. The Nation's sweetheart. RIP."

Police detain Instagram celebrity Cubana Chief Priest

The Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit in Lagos State has detained Instagram celebrity and Executive Director of Cubana Group, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest.





Cubana was invited to the Force Headquarters Annex Lagos today for questioning on his alleged ''abuse of police escorts and his unexplainable wealth''. He arrived at the police annex at about 10am this morning and has been with the police, answering questions from the officers.



A police source who confirmed this, said his invitation was sequel to an order from the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who has expressed shock at how some Nigerians abuse police personnel attached to them.




''We have detained Cubana Chief Priest and he is facing interrogation for misuse of police personnel as well as the illegal use of a weapon and his extravagant and unexplained lifestyle.” the source said



Recall that a month ago, Chairman of Five Star Group, Emeka Okonkwo popularly known as E-Money, was detained for the same reason

Staff who works at Lekki toll gate tests positive for COVID-19 yet the company is still carrying out operations as normal - Mum accuses LCC of being irresponsible

A Twitter user has called on the NCDC and the Lagos State Ministry of Health to act after a staff who works at the 1st Lekki toll gate allegedly tested positive for COVID-19.



Adetutu Balogun said the staff of Lekki Concession Company (LCC) tested positive on Thursday, June 11, and so did his wife and kids. However, only a few of his colleagues were asked to stay at home but they were not told why.



She also alleged that LCC staff are not aware that a colleague has Coronavirus and "some members of staff are feeling sick."



She questioned why the company is still operating and called on the NCDC and the Lagos State Ministry of Health to look into the matter to avoid increasing the community transmission rate in Lagos.



She wrote: "A member of staff of Lekki Concession Company Limited ("LCC") @LCCTollRoad at the 1st tollgate tested positive for COVID-19 last Thursday 11th June. The company is still open and carrying out its Operations like normal. Staff are not aware of the index case.



"Only a few of his contacts asked to stay at home without being told why. The index case, wife & kids are positive. Some members of staff are feeling sick but LCC is still open! LLC irresponsible action is increasing the community transmission rates in Lagos! @LSMOH @NDDCgov."

Judiciary officer bags 8-year jail sentence for defrauding 194 widows

A former Borno court official has been handed an 8-year jail sentence for defrauding 194 widows in the state.



The suspect identified as Ramat Mohammed (alias Gaddafi) was convicted on a-two count amended charge of defrauding 194 widows to the tune of N781,800.00(Seven Hundred and Eighty one Thousand Eight Hundred Naira only).



Ramat was accused of forging and selling a Food Collection Card in the name of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to his victims and failing to deliver the items.



The charges against the suspect read;




“That you, Ramat Mohammed (alias Gaddafi), sometime in December, 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud obtained the gross sum of N520,000.00 (Five Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) only from 40 (Forty) women (mostly widows) of Fissabi-lillah Islamic School, under the false pretence that the entire sum represent payments for registration/eligibility for a programme by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Action Against Hunger (A.A.H) at Auno Town of Konduga L.G.A, Borno State, which payment will entitle the said women to be issued a special card for various food items which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act."

“That you, Bashir Mohammed sometime in July, 2019, at Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of his honourable court being entrusted with certain properties to wit; 600 (six hundred ) cartons of Spaghetti worth N1,860,000.00 (One Million Eight Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira), by one Garba Babakura Lawan did dishonestly converts to your own use, the entire sum of N1,860,000.00 (One Million Eight Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira), only being value of the said 600 (six hundred cartons of Spaghetti and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Cap. 102 Laws of Borno State and Punishable under Section 312 of the same Law”



Justice Umaru Fadawu handed an 8 year prison sentence to the suspect for each of the charges he pleaded guilty to. The sentences would run concurrently.



Ramat was also ordered to make a restitution to the 194 widows of Fissabi-lillah Islamic School by refunding them the N781,800. The Judge was quoted saying;




"The court hereby sentences you to eight years imprisonment on count one. You are hereby sentenced to eight years imprisonment on count two and the years to run concurrently.

“The court orders you, Ramat Mohammed (alias Gaddafi), to pay the aggregate sum of N781,800.00 to 194 women of Fissabi-lillah Islamic School or nine years in default.

“The prison term shall run consecutively.”

Insecurity: ''Your excuses will no longer be tolerated'' President Buhari tells Service Chiefs

President Buhari had a closed-door meeting with the Service Chiefs on Thursday June 18, where he told them that excuses would no longer be tolerated and asked them to do more to secure the nation and Nigerians.







The National Security Adviser (NSA), Retired Major General Babagana Monguno, who spoke to the State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, said the President informed the service chiefs that their best is not good enough and that they must do better to put an end to the high level of insecurity in every part of the country.




''A meeting was just concluded between Mr. President and heads of the security agencies, that is the operational heads consisting minister of defence, the service chiefs and on the other hand, the intelligence components that is consisting of myself and the intelligence heads.

Today’s meeting basically focused on recent developments. Mr. President expressed great concern over the declining security situation in the country. He is extremely unhappy about what is happening and he feels that, even though the security agencies are doing their best, their best is not good enough for him and wants an immediate reversal of the current trend and immediate reversal of our misfortunes in all their dimensions.

Mr. President also told us clearly in no uncertain terms, that he and indeed the administration campaign to power on the platform of three issues, fighting insecurity, overcoming our economic difficulties and dealing with the scourge of corruption. More so, he noted that it takes common sense for anyone to understand that without security, the pursuit of the other two will just be an exercise in futility.

He, therefore, warned the security agencies to take into consideration the wider implication of the gradual decent of the security of this country, he is not going to accept any further escalation of the security situation. He also stated, that no one was forced on him, he selected everyone individually based on what he feels their records had revealed and therefore, it is up to individual organisation to live up to the expectations.

Again, Mr. President has also said that, it is extremely important that we in the security agencies, must ensure that we justify the leadership by not disappointing the populace. He also pointed out the immediate areas of concern and these areas are also interlinked and we must find a way out, especially the issue of proliferation of drugs, small arms and light weapons. These two issues also go hand in hand with the major issues of criminality in this country, be there banditry on one hand on the north west of Nigeria or terrorism in the North-East.” Monguno said



In attendance at the closed-door meeting were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe Ibas; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai and the Inspector General of Police Adamu Mohammed.



Others included the Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Usman, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Yusuf Bichi; and the Director-General Nigeria Intelligence Agency Ahmed Abubakar.



Also in attendance were President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha and Minister of Defence Retired Major General Bashir Magashi.

Ronaldo's departure from Real Madrid had almost no impact, but losing Messi from Barcelona will have a knock-on effect - LaLiga chief Javier Tebas says

Spain's LaLiga chief, Javier Tebas has taken a swipe at Cristiano Ronaldo by insisting his departure from Real Madrid in 2018 had no impact on the league.



The Portuguese striker joined the Spanish giants in 2009 from Manchester United and went on to become their all-time leading goalscorer.



Ronaldo was also arch-rival to Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, as both of them battled each other for several individuals and team honour.



Despite losing Ronaldo, who is one of the world's two best players to Juventus, Tebas said the switch to Italy had 'almost no impact' but admitted that Messi's 'case is different' because if he leaves the Spanish football will notice his absence.



'Ronaldo's departure, even if they are upset in Madrid, had almost no impact because in LaLiga we have been preparing for years for the LaLiga brand to go beyond the players,' Tebas said in an interview with RAC1.



'Messi's case is different,' he added.



'Messi is the best player in the history of football. We've been lucky enough to always have him in our league. I think Messi's exit would be noticed.'



He went on to further praise Messi as an 'icon' in Spanish football history.



Tebas' comments won't go down well with Real Madrid fans as they are still struggling to replace the goals void left by Ronaldo.



The Portuguese superstar, who has five Ballon d'Or awards to Messi's six, scored 451 goals in 438 appearances for Real Madrid. He scored 312 goals in LaLiga, 105 in the Champions League, 22 in the Copa del Rey, six in the Club World Cup, four in the Spanish Super Cup and two in the UEFA Super Cup.



Ronaldo also won four European Cups, three Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, two LaLiga titles, two Copas del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups with Real Madrid.